Detection device, sensor, electronic apparatus, and moving object

ABSTRACT

A detection device includes: a drive circuit which receives a feedback signal from a physical quantity transducer and drives the physical quantity transducer; a detection circuit which receives a detection signal from the physical quantity transducer and detects a desired signal; and a control unit which controls switching on/off of an AGC loop in the drive circuit. The drive circuit outputs a drive signal based on a control voltage that is set by the AGC loop in an on-period of the AGC loop to the physical quantity transducer and thus drives the physical quantity transducer in an off-period of the AGC loop.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a detection device, a sensor, anelectronic apparatus, and a moving object or the like.

2. Related Art

A gyro sensor for detecting a physical quantity that changes due to anexternal factor is incorporated in an electronic apparatus such as adigital camera or smartphone, or a moving object such as a vehicle oraircraft. Such a gyro sensor detects a physical quantity such as angularvelocity and is used for so-called image stabilization, posture control,GPS autonomous navigation or the like.

As such a gyro sensor, an oscillation gyro sensor such as a quartzcrystal piezoelectric oscillation gyro sensor is known. The oscillationgyro sensor detects a physical quantity corresponding to a Coriolisforce generated by a rotation. As a detection device with such anoscillation gyro sensor, for example, the related-art techniquedisclosed in JP-A-2008-139287 is known.

In the related-art technique of JP-A-2008-139287, a sleep mode torealize low power consumption is prepared. However, according toJP-A-2008-139287, in the sleep mode, another oscillation loop than anoscillation by AGC is formed and an oscillator is driven by a drivesignal generated using a comparator provided in the oscillation loop inquestion. In the driving by such a drive signal that does not involveAGC control at all, the function of keeping the drive current of theoscillator constant does not work and therefore a desired signal cannotbe detected properly. Thus, while the sleep mode achieves reduction inpower consumption, there is a problem that proper detection processingof a desired signal using the oscillator cannot be realized during thesleep mode period.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a detectiondevice, a sensor, an electronic apparatus and a moving object or thelike in which detection processing of a desired signal with highdetection performance is realized by driving in an off-period of the AGCloop can be provided.

The invention can be realized as the following embodiments or aspects.

An aspect of the invention relates to a detection device including: adrive circuit which receives a feedback signal from a physical quantitytransducer and drives the physical quantity transducer; a detectioncircuit which receives a detection signal from the physical quantitytransducer and detects a desired signal; and a control unit whichcontrols switching on/off of an AGC (automatic gain control) loop in thedrive circuit. The drive circuit outputs a drive signal based on acontrol voltage that is set by the AGC loop in an on-period of the AGCloop to the physical quantity transducer and thus drives the physicalquantity transducer in an off-period of the AGC loop.

According to this configuration, the switching on/off of the AGC loop inthe drive circuit is controlled by the control unit. A drive signalbased on a control voltage that is set by the AGC loop in an on-periodof the AGC loop is outputted in an off-period of the AGC loop, therebydriving the physical quantity transducer. Thus, in the off-period of theAGC loop, which is considered to have less noise, the physical quantitytransducer is driven by the drive signal based on the setting in theon-period of the AGC loop, thereby enabling execution of detectionprocessing of a desired signal. Therefore, compared with the case wheredetection processing is carried out only by the driving during theon-period of the AGC loop, detection processing of a desired signal withhigh detection performance can be realized.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a detection device including:a drive circuit which receives a feedback signal from a physicalquantity transducer, forms an oscillation loops with the physicalquantity transducer, includes an AGC (automatic gain control) loop tocontrol gain of the oscillation loop, and drives the physical quantitytransducer; a detection circuit which receives a detection signal fromthe physical quantity transducer and detects a desired signal; and acontrol unit which controls switching on/off of the AGC loop in thedrive circuit. The drive circuit outputs a drive signal based on acontrol voltage that is set by the AGC loop in an on-period of the AGCloop to the physical quantity transducer and thus drives the physicalquantity transducer in an off-period of the AGC loop.

According to this configuration, the switching on/off of the AGC loop inthe drive circuit is controlled by the control unit. A drive signalbased on a control voltage that is set by the AGC loop in an on-periodof the AGC loop is outputted in an off-period of the AGC loop, therebydriving the physical quantity transducer. Thus, in the off-period of theAGC loop, which is considered to have less noise, the physical quantitytransducer is driven by the drive signal based on the setting in theon-period of the AGC loop, thereby enabling execution of detectionprocessing of a desired signal. Therefore, compared with the case wheredetection processing is carried out only by the driving during theon-period of the AGC loop, detection processing of a desired signal withhigh detection performance can be realized.

In the detection device, the drive circuit may include: an amplifiercircuit which amplifies the feedback signal; a drive signal outputcircuit which outputs the drive signal on the basis of the signalamplified by the amplifier circuit; and a gain control circuit whichoutputs the control voltage to the drive signal output circuit andcontrols an amplitude of the drive signal. The control unit may controlswitching on/off of a switch element provided in a path of the AGC loopin the gain control circuit and thereby control the switching on/off ofthe AGC loop.

According to this configuration, the AGC loop is switched off byswitching off the switch element provided in the path of the AGC loop,and in the off-period of the AGC loop, which is considered to have lessnoise, the drive signal based on the setting in the on-period of the AGCloop is outputted to the physical quantity transducer so that thephysical quantity transducer can be driven.

In the detection device, the gain control circuit may include anintegrator which outputs the control voltage to control the amplitude ofthe drive signal, to the drive signal output circuit. The integrator mayinclude: an operational amplifier; a capacitor provided between anoutput node of the operational amplifier and a node of an invertinginput terminal of the operational amplifier; and a resistance elementhaving one end electrically connected to an input node of theintegrator. The switch element may be a switch element provided betweenthe other end of the resistance element and the inverting input terminalof the operational amplifier. The gain control circuit may output thecontrol voltage that is sampled and held in the integrator as the switchelement is switched off, to the drive signal output circuit in theoff-period of the AGC loop. The drive signal output circuit may outputthe drive signal based on the control voltage that is sampled and held,to the physical quantity transducer and thus drive the physical quantitytransducer in the off-period of the AGC loop.

According to this configuration, the circuit configuration of theintegrator used for the gain control circuit is effectively utilized sothat the control voltage in the on-period of the AGC loop is sampled andheld, and the drive signal based on the control voltage that is sampledand held can be outputted to the physical quantity transducer in theoff-period of the AGC loop.

In the detection device, the resistance element may be a resistanceelement with variable resistance. In the on-period of the AGC loop, theresistance element may be set to a first resistance value. In theoff-period of the AGC loop, the resistance element may be set to asecond resistance value that is higher than the first resistance value.

According to this configuration, since the resistance element has a highresistance in the off-period of the AGC loop, in which the switchelement is off, the current path or the like of a leakage current fromthe switch element can be limited. Therefore, missing electric charge orthe like from a charge accumulation node of the control voltage can berestrained.

In the detection device, the resistance element may be switched from thefirst resistance value to the second resistance value at a timing beforea timing when AGC loop is switched off from on.

According to this configuration, at the timing when the AGC loop isswitched off from on, the resistance element is set to a highresistance. Therefore, electric potential fluctuation at the chargeaccumulation node of the control voltage due to change in the timing canbe minimized.

In the detection device, the resistance element may be switched from thesecond resistance value to the first resistance value at a timing beforea timing when AGC loop is switched on from off.

According to this configuration, at the timing when the AGC loop isswitched on from off, the resistance element is set to a low resistance.Therefore, the convergence time of AGC gain control is shortened,enabling increase in the speed of AGC convergence operation.

In the detection device, the gain control circuit may include afull-wave rectifier which performs full-wave rectification of an outputsignal from the amplifier circuit and outputs the full-wave-rectifiedsignal to the integrator. In the off-period of the AGC loop, thefull-wave rectifier may beset to an operation off state or low powerconsumption mode.

According to this configuration, unwanted consumption of power by thefull-wave rectifier can be restrained in the off-period of the AGC loop.

In the detection device, the gain control circuit may have a secondswitch element provided between the switch element and an output node ofthe amplifier circuit. In the off-period of the AGC loop, the secondswitch element may be off.

As the second switch element on the stage preceding the switch elementis off in the off-period of the AGC loop, in this manner, the currentpath of a leakage current from the switch element can be limited.Therefore, missing electric charge or the like due to the leakagecurrent can be restrained.

In the detection device, the drive circuit may include: an amplifiercircuit which amplifies the feedback signal; a drive signal outputcircuit which outputs the drive signal on the basis of the signalamplified by the amplifier circuit; and a gain control circuit whichoutputs the control voltage to the drive signal output circuit andcontrols an amplitude of the drive signal. The gain control circuit maysample and hold the control voltage that is set in the on-period of theAGC loop, and output the control voltage that is sampled and held to thedrive signal output circuit in the off-period of the AGC loop. The drivesignal output circuit may output the drive signal based on the controlvoltage that is sampled and held, to the physical quantity transducerand thus drive the physical quantity transducer in the off-period of theAGC loop.

According to this configuration, the control voltage that is set in theon-period of the AGC loop is sampled and held, and the drive signalbased on the control voltage that is sampled and held is outputted tothe physical quantity transducer in the off-period of the AGC loop.Thus, the physical quantity transducer can be driven by the drive signalbased on the control voltage that is set by the AGC loop in theon-period of the AGC loop.

The detection device may also have a register unit including a controlregister for on/off control of the AGC loop. The control unit mayperform on/off control of the AGC loop on the basis of a setting of thecontrol register.

According to this configuration, a suitable setting corresponding to anapplication can be carried to the control register, and on/off controlof the AGC loop can be executed accordingly.

In the detection device, the register unit may have a setting registerfor a mode in which switching on/off of the AGC loop is repeated, as thecontrol register.

According to this configuration, for example, if the drive currentfluctuates in the off-period of the AGC loop, the original drive currentcan be restored in the next on-period. Therefore, on/off control of theAGC loop that is suitable for an application which carries out detectionprocessing over a long time can be realized.

In the detection device, the register unit may have a setting registerfor a mode in which the AGC loop is switched on at the time of startupand is switched off after the startup is complete, as the controlregister.

According to this configuration, on/off control of the AGC loop that issuitable for an application which requires detection processing withhigh detection performance only during a predetermined period followingthe startup can be realized.

In the detection device, the register unit may have a register whichsets at least one of length information of the on-period of the AGC loopand length information of the off-period of the AGC loop, as the controlregister.

According to this configuration, the length of the on-period oroff-period of the AGC loop can be set to a suitable period lengthcorresponding to an application or the like.

Still another aspect of the invention relates to a sensor including: anyof the detection devices described above; and a physical quantitytransducer.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to an electronic apparatusincluding any of the detection devices described above.

Still yet another aspect of the invention relates to a moving objectincluding any of the detection devices described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an electronic apparatusand a gyro sensor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a detection deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a frequency characteristic of noise in thecase where an AGC loop is switched on/off.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the detailed configuration andoperation of a drive circuit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the detailed configuration andoperation of the drive circuit.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a circuit model of the drive circuit in orderto find a closed loop frequency characteristic of AGC.

FIG. 7 shows a closed loop frequency characteristic of AGC.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are explanatory views showing the problem of a fall indetection performance when the AGC loop is on.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the problem due to a leakage currentfrom a switch element when the AGC loop is off.

FIG. 10 shows the fluctuation rate of a drive current with the lapse oftime in an off-period of the AGC loop.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory views showing an on/off repetitionmode and a post-startup completion off mode of the AGC loop.

FIGS. 12A to 12D show examples of register maps in an on/off controlregister for the AGC loop.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a technique for restrainingadverse effects of a leakage current from the switch element when theAGC loop is off.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are explanatory views showing a resistance controltechnique for a resistance element in an integrator.

FIGS. 15A to 15C are explanatory views showing detailed examples of theresistance control technique for the resistance element in theintegrator.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show the relation between the magnitude of resistanceof the resistance element in the integrator and the convergence time ofAGC.

FIG. 17 shows an example of the configuration of a detection circuit.

FIGS. 18A and 18B show other configuration examples of the detectioncircuit.

FIG. 19 is a conceptual view schematically showing the configuration ofan automobile as a specific example of a moving object.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be describedin detail. The following embodiment should not unduly limit the contentsof the invention described in the appended claims. Not all theconfigurations described in the embodiment are essential to thesolutions of the invention. For example, the description belowillustrates a case where a piezoelectric oscillator (oscillation gyro)is used as a physical quantity transducer and where a gyro sensor isused as a sensor. However, the invention is not limited to this case.For example, the invention can also be applied to an electrostaticcapacitance detection-type oscillator (oscillation gyro) formed of asilicon substrate or the like, or a physical quantity transducer, sensoror the like which detects a physical quantity equivalent to angularvelocity information or other physical quantities than angular velocityinformation.

1. Electronic Apparatus, Gyro Sensor

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a gyro sensor 510 (in abroad sense, a sensor) including a detection device 20 of thisembodiment, and an electronic apparatus 500 including the gyro sensor510. It should be noted that the electronic apparatus 500 and the gyrosensor 510 are not limited to the configuration of FIG. 1 and can bemodified in various manners, such as omitting a part of the componentsor adding another component. As the electronic apparatus 500 of thisembodiment, various apparatuses can be considered such as a digitalcamera, video camera, smartphone, mobile phone, car navigation system,robot, game machine, timepiece, health appliance, or mobile informationterminal.

The electronic apparatus 500 includes the gyro sensor 510 and aprocessing unit 520. The electronic apparatus 500 can also include amemory 530, an operation unit 540, and a display unit 550. Theprocessing unit 520 (CPU, MPU or the like) carries out control of thegyro sensor 510 or the like and overall control of the electronicapparatus 500. The processing unit 520 also carries out processing basedon angular velocity information (in a broad sense, a physical quantity)detected by the gyro sensor 510. For example, the processing unit 520carries out processing for image stabilization, posture control, GPSautonomous navigation or the like, based on angular velocityinformation. The memory 530 (ROM, RAM or the like) stores a controlprogram and various data and functions as a work area and a data storagearea. The operation unit 540 is configured for the user to operate theelectronic apparatus 500. The display unit 550 displays various kinds ofinformation to the user.

The gyro sensor 510 (sensor) includes an oscillator 10 and the detectiondevice 20. The oscillator 10 of FIG. 1 (in a broad sense, a physicalquantity transducer) is a tuning fork-type piezoelectric oscillatorformed of a thin plate of a piezoelectric material such as quartzcrystal, and includes drive oscillators 11, 12 and detection oscillators16, 17. Drive terminals 2, 4 are provided on the drive oscillators 11,12. Detection terminals 6, 8 are provided on the detection terminals 16,17.

A drive circuit 30 included in the detection device 20 outputs a drivesignal (drive voltage) and thus drives the oscillator 10. The drivecircuit 30 then receives a feedback signal from the oscillator 10 andthus excites the oscillator 10. A detection circuit 60 receives adetection signal (detection current, electric charge) from theoscillator 10 driven by the drive signal, and detects (extracts) adesired signal (Coriolis force signal) corresponding to the physicalquantity applied to the oscillator 10, from the detection signal.

Specifically, an AC drive signal (drive voltage) from the drive circuit30 is applied to the drive terminal 2 of the drive oscillator 11.Consequently, a reverse voltage effect causes the drive oscillator 11 tostart oscillating, and tuning fork oscillation causes the driveoscillator 12 to start oscillating as well. At this point, a current(electric charge) generated by the piezoelectric effect of the driveoscillator 12 is fed back to the drive circuit 30 as a feedback signalfrom the drive terminal 4. An oscillation loop including the oscillator10 is thus formed.

As the drive oscillators 11, 12 oscillate, the detection oscillators 16,17 oscillate at an oscillation speed v in the direction shown in FIG. 1.Consequently, a current (electric charge) generated by the piezoelectriceffect of the detection oscillators 16, 17 is outputted from thedetection terminals 6, 8 as detection signals (first and seconddetection signals). The detection circuit 60 receives the detectionsignals from the oscillator 10 and detects a desired signal (desiredwave) that is a signal corresponding to the Coriolis force. That is, asthe oscillator 10 (gyro sensor) rotates about a detection axis 19, aCoriolis force Fc is generated in a direction orthogonal to theoscillating direction of the oscillation speed v. If, for example, theangular velocity when the oscillator 10 rotates about the detection axis19 is ω, the mass of the oscillator is m, and the oscillation speed ofthe oscillator is v, the Coriolis force is expressed as Fc=2m×v×ω.Therefore, as the detection circuit 60 detects a desired signal that isa signal corresponding to the Coriolis force, the rotational angularvelocity ω of the gyro sensor can be found. Using the angular velocity ωthat is found, the processing unit 520 can carry out various kinds ofprocessing for image stabilization, posture control, or GPS autonomousnavigation or the like.

While FIG. 1 shows the example in which the oscillator 10 is a tuningfork-type, the oscillator 10 of this embodiment is not limited to such astructure. For example, a T-shape, double-T-shape or the like may alsobe employed. The piezoelectric material of the oscillator 10 may beother than quartz crystal.

2. Detection Device

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the detection device 20of this embodiment. The detection device 20 includes the drive circuit30, which receives a feedback signal DI from the oscillator 10 (physicalquantity transducer) and drives the oscillator 10, and the detectioncircuit 60, which receives detection signals IQ1, IQ2 from theoscillator 10 and detects a desired signal.

The drive circuit 30 includes an amplifier circuit 32 to which thefeedback signal DI from the oscillator 10 is inputted, a gain controlcircuit 40 which performs automatic gain control, and a drive signaloutput circuit 50 which outputs a drive signal DQ to the oscillator 10.The drive circuit 30 also includes a synchronizing signal output circuit52 which outputs a synchronizing signal SYC to the detection circuit 60.The configuration of the drive circuit 30 is not limited to FIG. 2 andcan be modified in various manners such as omitting a part of thecomponents or adding another component.

The amplifier circuit 32 (I/V converter circuit) amplifies the feedbacksignal DI from the oscillator 10. For example, the amplifier circuit 32converts the current signal DI from the oscillator 10 to a voltagesignal DV and outputs the voltage signal DV. The amplifier circuit 32can be realized with a capacitor, a resistance element, an operationalamplifier or the like.

The drive signal output circuit 50 outputs the drive signal DQ based onthe signal DV amplified by the amplifier circuit 32. For example, thedrive signal output circuit 50 outputs a drive signal of a square wave(or sine wave). The drive signal output circuit 50 can be realized witha comparator or the like.

The gain control circuit 40 (AGC) outputs a control voltage DS to thedrive signal output circuit 50 and thus controls the amplitude of thedrive signal DQ. Specifically, the gain control circuit 40 monitors thesignal DV and controls the gain of the oscillation loop. For example, inthe drive circuit 30, the amplitude of the drive voltage supplied to theoscillator 10 (drive oscillator) needs to be kept constant in order tokeep the sensitivity of the gyro sensor constant. Therefore, the gaincontrol circuit 40 for automatic adjustment of gain is provided withinthe oscillation loop in the drive oscillation system. The gain controlcircuit 40 automatically adjusts gain in a variable manner so that theamplitude of the feedback signal DI from the oscillator 10 (oscillationspeed v of the oscillator) becomes constant.

The synchronizing signal output circuit 52 receives the signal DVamplified by the amplifier circuit 32 and outputs the synchronizingsignal SYC (reference signal) to the detection circuit 60. Thesynchronizing signal output circuit 52 can be realized with a comparatorwhich binarizes the sine-wave (AC) signal DV to generate a square-wavesynchronizing signal SYC, a phase adjustment circuit (phase shifter)which performs phase adjustment of the synchronizing signal SYC, or thelike.

The detection circuit 60 includes an amplifier circuit 61, a synchronousdetection circuit 81, and an A/D converter circuit 100. The amplifiercircuit 61 receives the first and second detection signals IQ1, IQ2 fromthe oscillator and caries out amplification of the signals andcharge-voltage conversion. The synchronous detection circuit 81 carriesout synchronous detection based on the synchronizing signal SYC from thedrive circuit 30. The A/D converter circuit 100 carries out A/Dconversion of the signal after the synchronous detection. As theconfiguration of the detection circuit 60, configurations using varioussystems can be employed as described later. These configurations will bedescribed in detail later.

The detection device 20 can further include a control unit 140 and aregister unit 150. The control unit 140 carries out control processingof the detection device 20. The control unit 140 can be realized with alogic circuit (gate array or the like), a processor or the like. Theregister unit 150 has a register for carrying out various controls andvarious settings of the detection device 20. The register of theregister unit 150 can be realized, for example, with a memory, aflip-flop circuit or the like. In the register of the register unit 150,a register value is set, for example, via an external interface, notshown. The control unit 140 executes various kinds of control processingbased on the register value of the register.

3. On/Off Control of AGC Loop

In this embodiment, the AGC (automatic gain control) loop in the drivecircuit 30 is on/off-controlled. For example, the on/off control of theAGC loop is carried out by the control unit 140. The drive circuit 30outputs the drive signal DQ based on the setting in an on-period of theAGC loop to the oscillator 10 in an off-period of the AGC loop and thusdrives the oscillator 10 (physical quantity transducer). For example,the drive circuit 30 outputs the drive signal DQ based on the controlvoltage DS (control signal) that is set by the AGC loop (gain controlcircuit 40) in an on-period of the AGC loop to the oscillator 10 in anoff-period of the AGC loop and thus drives the oscillator 10.

That is, in the on-period of the AGC loop, the gain control circuit 40outputs the control voltage DS generated by the AGC loop to the drivesignal output circuit 50. Specifically, the gain control circuit 40outputs the control voltage DS set by the AGC loop in such a way thatloop gain that is the gain of the oscillation loop becomes 1. The drivesignal output circuit 50 outputs the drive signal DQ with the amplitudethereof controlled by the control voltage DS. That is, the drive signaloutput circuit 50 outputs the drive signal DQ controlled in such a waythat the loop gain becomes 1. The drive signal DQ is, for example, asquare-wave signal but may be a sine-wave signal. The detection circuit60 receives the detection signals IQ1, IQ2 from the oscillator 10 drivenby such a drive signal DQ, and detects a desired signal.

Meanwhile, in the off-period of the AGC loop, the gain control circuit40 outputs the control voltage DS based on the setting in the on-periodof the AGC loop preceding the off-period in question, to the drivesignal output circuit 50. For example, the gain control circuit 40samples and holds the control voltage DS set in the on-period of the AGCloop. The control voltage DS is sampled and held, for example, by anintegrator 44, described later. However, the control voltage DS may alsobe sampled and held, using other circuit configurations than theintegrator 44. The gain control circuit 40 then outputs the controlvoltage DS sampled and held in the on-period, to the drive signal outputcircuit 50 in the off-period of the AGC loop. The drive signal outputcircuit 50 outputs the drive signal DQ based on the control voltage DSthat is sampled and held, to the oscillator 10 in the off-period of theAGC loop and thus drives the oscillator 10.

In this way, the drive signal output circuit 50 outputs the drive signalDQ based on the control voltage DS that is set by the AGC loop in theon-period of the AGC loop, and thus drives the oscillator 10. In theoff-period of the AGC loop, the detection circuit 60 receives thedetection signals IQ1, IQ2 from the oscillator 10 driven by the drivesignal DQ based on the control voltage DS sampled and held in theon-period, and detects a desired signal.

An off-period of the AGC loop is a period in which the AGC loop isdisconnected and therefore the gain control by the AGC loop does notwork. Meanwhile, an on-period of the AGC loop is a period in which theAGC loop is not disconnected and therefore the gain control by the AGCloop works and the amplitude of the drive signal DQ is controlled. Forexample, a switch element (for example, a switch element SW, describedlater) is provided in the path of the AGC loop in the gain controlcircuit 40. The control unit 140 controls the switching on/off of theswitch element provided in the path of the AGC loop, thereby controllingthe switching on/off of the AGC loop.

The gain control by the AGC loop in the gain control circuit 40 iscarried out, for example, for the purpose of making the drive current ofthe oscillator 10 constant regardless of temperature and thus making thedetection sensitivity constant. Specifically, the gain control circuit40 generates a control voltage DS based on a feedback signal from theoscillator 10 and outputs the control voltage DS to the drive signaloutput circuit 50. As the drive signal output circuit 50 adjusts theamplitude (voltage level) of the drive signal DQ of the oscillator 10 onthe basis of this control voltage DS, feedback control to keep the drivecurrent constant is performed.

However, it is confirmed that the implementation of the feedback controlby the AGC loop may result in an increase in noise and hence a fall indetection performance.

For example, FIG. 3 shows the frequency characteristic of noise in agyro sensor output in the case where the AGC loop is switched on/off. Asshown in FIG. 3, when the AGC loop is on, the noise component (noisedensity) rises in a frequency band RFZ of, for example, near 100 Hz(several ten to several hundred Hz), compared with the case where theAGC loop is off. Thus, the detection performance of the detection deviceis lowered. The frequency band RFZ where the noise component risesdiffers from product to product and varies, for example, according tothe circuit constant or the like of the detection device.

As a technique for coping with such a fall in detection performance, forexample, a technique in which the cutoff frequency of digital filterprocessing in the detection device is set to a lower frequency than thefrequency band RFZ so as to remove the noise component may beconsidered. That is, a DSP unit which carries out band-limited digitalfilter processing corresponding to the application of a desired signalis provided in the detection device, and the cutoff frequency of thedigital filter processing by the DSP unit is set to be lower than thefrequency band RFZ.

However, depending on the application, band limitation by a cutofffrequency (for example, 200 Hz) that is higher than the frequency bandRFZ may be required. Therefore, to cope with such an application, thereis a need to change the circuit constant or the like of the detectiondevice. That is, the circuit constant or the like of the detectiondevice needs to be changed for each application and circuits with acommon circuit constant cannot be used. This leads to an increase inmanufacturing cost and complexity of product management.

Meanwhile, a technique in which the loop is switched to a differentoscillation loop from the time of normal operation, as in the sleep modeof JP-A-2008-139287, has a problem that the drive current of theoscillator cannot be made constant when the oscillation is driven usingthe oscillation loop in question and consequently a desired signalcannot be detected properly.

Thus, in this embodiment, after the AGC loop is switched on and theoscillator 10 is driven under the gain control by the AGC loop, the AGCloop is switched off. Then, even in the off-period of the AGC loop, theoscillator 10 is driven by the drive signal DQ based on the controlvoltage DS that is set by the AGC loop in the on-period, and a desiredsignal is thus detected by the detection circuit 60.

With this configuration, detection processing of a desired signal can becarried out in an off-period of the AGC loop, in which there is lessnoise. Therefore, the detection performance of the detection device canbe improved, compared with the case where detection processing iscarried out only in an on-period of the AGC loop.

Moreover, in this embodiment, driving of the oscillator 10 in theoff-period of the AGC loop is carried out using the drive signal DQbased on the control voltage DS set in the on-period of the AGC loop.For example, as the drive signal DQ based on the control voltage DSsampled and held by the gain control circuit 40 is used, the oscillator10 can be driven, for example, using the drive signal DQ in the samestate as the signal at the timing of switching from the on-period to theoff-period of the AGC loop. This has an advantage that the detectionperformance of the detection device can be improved while the functionof making the drive current constant is maintained.

Also, in the embodiment, various modes for realizing such an on/offtechnique of the AGC loop are prepared.

Specifically, in the embodiment, a control register 152 for the on/offcontrol of the AGC loop is provided in the register unit 150, as shownin FIG. 2. That is, the control register 152 for setting various modeswith respect to the on/off control of the AGC loop and for settinglength information of the on-period and off-period is provided. Thecontrol unit 140 carries out the on/off control of the AGC loop based onthe setting (register value) in the control register 152.

For example, the register unit 150 has a setting register for a mode inwhich the switching on/off of the AGC loop is repeated, as the controlregister 152. When this mode is set, the control unit 140 carries outcontrol to repeat the switching on/off of the AGC loop (switching on/offof the switch element provided in the path of the AGC loop) everypredetermined period.

For example, in an application where inertial navigation is carried outusing a gyro sensor, if an off-period continues for a long period afterthe AGC loop is switched off from on, the drive current fluctuates,generating a risk that proper detection processing cannot be realized.Therefore, in such an application, setting the mode in which theswitching on/off of the AGC loop is repeated allows the detectionperformance to be maintained even in detection processing over a longperiod.

The register unit 150 also has a setting register for a mode in whichthe AGC loop is on at the time of startup (startup period) and in whichthe AGC loop is off after the startup is complete (after the lapse ofthe startup period), as the control register 152. When this mode is set,the control unit 140 carries out control to switch on the AGC loop atthe time of startup of oscillation (when power is turned on) and toswitch off the AGC loop after the startup is determined as complete.

For example, in an application such as a digital camera, it is often thecase that the user turns the power on, presses the shutter button andturns the power off immediately afterwards. Therefore, in such anapplication, setting the mode in which the AGC loop is on at the time ofstartup (startup period) and in which the AGC loop is off after thestartup is complete (after the lapse of the startup period) enablesrealization of both improvement in detection performance and reductionin power consumption.

The register unit 150 also has a register for setting at least one ofthe length information of the on-period of the AGC loop and the lengthinformation of the off-period of the AGC loop, as the control register152. For example, in the mode in which the switching on/off of the AGCloop is repeated, an on-period and an off-period having a period lengthset by the length information in the control register 152 are repeatedalternately. Also, in the mode in which the AGC loop is on at the timeof startup and in which the AGC loop is off after the startup iscomplete, the length or the like of the on-period of the AGC loop at thetime of startup is set on the basis of the length information set in thecontrol register 152.

The provision of such a register for setting the length information ofthe on-period and off-period allows the on-period and off-period to beset to an optimum period length corresponding to each application. Thelength information is, for example, time information representing thelength of the period. However, the embodiment is not limited to this andvarious kinds of information that substantially specifies the length ofthe period can be employed.

4. Detailed Configuration and Operation of Drive Circuit

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the detailed configuration and operation of thedrive circuit 30.

In FIG. 4, the amplifier circuit 32 is an integration-typecurrent-voltage converter circuit (I/V converter circuit) having alow-pass filter characteristic, and includes an operational amplifierOPE, a capacitor CE, and a resistance element RE. The non-invertinginput terminal (first input terminal) of the operational amplifier OPEis set to a predetermined electric potential (for example, AGND), and asignal DI from the oscillator 10 is inputted to the inverting inputterminal (second input terminal). The capacitor CE and the resistanceelement RE are provided between the output node of the amplifier circuit32 and the node of the inverting input terminal of the operationalamplifier OPE.

A low-pass filter 34 is provided between the amplifier circuit 32 andthe drive signal output circuit 50 and outputs a low-pass-filteredsignal DV to the drive signal output circuit 50. The low-pass filter 34has a resistance element RH and a capacitor CH. It should be noted thatvarious modifications can be made such as omitting the configuration ofthe low-pass filter 34 or providing a high-pass filter instead of thelow-pass filter 34.

The gain control circuit 40 (AGC) is a circuit which automaticallyadjusts gain in such a way that loop gain becomes 1, in an oscillationstationary state. The gain control circuit 40 has a full-wave rectifier42 and an integrator 44. The gain control circuit 40 may also include anoscillator detector or the like which detects an oscillation state.

The full-wave rectifier 42 performs full-wave rectification of an outputsignal DV of the amplifier circuit and outputs a full-wave-rectifiedsignal DR to the integrator 44. The full-wave rectifier 42 has anoperational amplifier OPF, resistance elements RF1, RF2, a comparatorCP3, switch elements SF1, SF2, and an inverter circuit INV.

The resistance element RF1 is provided between the input node of thesignal DV and the node of the inverting input terminal of theoperational amplifier OPF. The resistance element RF2 is providedbetween the output node and the node of the inverting input terminal ofthe operational amplifier OPF.

The switch element SF1 is provided between the output node of theoperational amplifier OPF and an input node NG1 of the integrator 44.The switch element SF2 is provided between the node of the signal DV andthe input node NG1 of the integrator 44. The switch elements SF1, SF2are exclusively on/off-controlled on the basis of an output signal ofthe comparator CP3, which compares the voltage of the signal DV with avoltage of a predetermined electric potential. Thus, the signal DR is asignal resulting from the full-wave rectification of the signal DV.

The integrator 44 outputs a control voltage DS for the amplitude of thedrive signal DQ, to the drive signal output circuit 50. Specifically,the integrator 44 carries out integration processing of the signal DRthat is full-wave-rectified by the full-wave rectifier 42 and outputsthe control voltage DS resulting from the integration processing, to thedrive signal output circuit 50.

The integrator 44 has an operational amplifier OPG, a resistance elementRG, and a capacitor CG. The capacitor CG is provided between an outputnode NG4 of the operational amplifier OPG and a node NG3 of theinverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OPG. Thenon-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OPG is set toa predetermined voltage VR3. The resistance element RG is providedbetween the input node NG1 of the integrator 44 and the node NG3 of theinverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OPG.

A comparator CP1 forming the drive signal output circuit 50 has thenon-inverting input terminal thereof set to a predetermined electricpotential (for example, AGND), and the signal DV amplified by theamplifier circuit 32 (for example, filtered signal) is inputted to theinverting input terminal. The comparator CP1 outputs a square-wave drivesignal DQ formed by binarizing the signal DV. Even though thesquare-wave drive signal DQ is outputted to the oscillator 10, thefrequency filtering effect of the oscillator 10 reduces unwantedharmonics, thus enabling the drive signal DQ with a target frequency(resonance frequency) to be acquired. The comparator CP1 has adifferential unit and an output unit connected to the differential unit.The control voltage DS from the gain control circuit 40 (integrator) issupplied as a power-supply voltage of the output unit of the comparatorCP1 (high potential-side power-supply voltage). Thus, the amplitude ofthe drive signal DQ outputted from the comparator CP1 changes accordingto the control voltage DS from the gain control circuit 40, and gaincontrol to achieve loop gain of 1 in the oscillation stationary state isrealized.

The configuration of the drive circuit 30 is not limited to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 4 and various modifications can be madethereto. For example, while the drive signal output circuit 50 in FIG. 4includes the comparator CP1 outputting the square-wave drive signal DQ,the drive signal output circuit 50 may also be configured with a gainamplifier or the like which outputs a sine-wave drive signal DQ. In sucha case, the amplitude of the drive signal DQ can be controlled bycontrolling the gain in the gain amplifier on the basis of the controlvoltage DS from the gain control circuit 40.

In the embodiment, the switch element SW is provided in the path of theAGC loop in the gain control circuit 40. The control unit 140 controlsthe switching on/off of the switch element SW and thereby controls theswitching on/off of the AGC loop.

For example, to switch the AGC loop on, the switch element SW isswitched on, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the control voltage DS controlledby the AGC loop on the basis of the feedback signal DI from theoscillator 10 is outputted to the drive signal output circuit 50, andthe amplitude of the drive signal DQ is controlled in such a way thatthe drive current becomes constant.

Meanwhile, to switch the AGC loop off, the switch element SW is switchedoff, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the AGC loop is disconnected. Also inthis case, the control voltage DS set in the on-period of the AGC loopis outputted to the drive signal output circuit 50. The drive signaloutput circuit 50 outputs the drive signal DQ based on this controlvoltage DS and thus drives the oscillator 10. For example, in the sleepmode of JP-A-2008-139287, the loop is switched to another oscillationloop. However, in this embodiment, even when the AGC loop is switchedoff from on, the same oscillation loop is used and oscillation drivingof the oscillator 10 is carried out with the drive signal DQ based onthe control voltage DS set in the on-period of the AGC loop.

Specifically, the resistance element RG of the integrator 44 has one endthereof electrically connected to the input node NG1 of the integrator44, and the switch element SW is provided between the other end of theresistance element RG and the node of the inverting input terminal ofthe operational amplifier OPG. The provision of such a switch element SWenables the integrator 44 to function as a sample-and-hold circuit forthe control voltage DS. That is, when the switch element SW is switchedoff, the movement of electric charge accumulated at the electrode on theside of the node NG3 of the capacitor CG is limited and therefore thecontrol voltage DS at the timing when the AGC loop is switched off fromon is sampled and held by the integrator 44.

Then, the gain control circuit 40 outputs the control voltage DS that issampled and held by the integrator 44 as the switch element SW isswitched off, to the drive signal output circuit 50. The drive signaloutput circuit 50 outputs the drive signal DQ based on the controlvoltage DS that is sampled and held, to the oscillator 10 in theoff-period of the AGC loop and thus drives the oscillator 10.

In this case, if the length of the on-period of the AGC loop issufficiently long, the startup of the oscillation of the oscillator 10is complete. Therefore, it can be expected that, by driving with thedrive signal DQ of the amplitude based on the control voltage DS that issampled and held at the timing when the AGC loop (switch element SW) isswitched off from on, the drive current of the oscillator 10 is keptconstant to a certain extent.

Next, the reason for the phenomenon of falling noise performance whenthe AGC loop is switched on, as shown in FIG. 3, will be described.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a circuit model of the drive circuit 30 tofind a closed loop frequency characteristic of the AGC. The oscillator10 of quartz crystal is expressed as an equivalent circuit including aninductor L, a resistor R, and a parasitic capacitance CP. The capacitivecomponent of quartz crystal is omitted.

The amplifier circuit 32 and the integrator 44 are shown as circuitmodels according to the actual circuits. Meanwhile, the full-waverectifier 42 is shown as a circuit model having gain of 1/π, and thedrive signal output circuit 50 (comparator CP1) is shown as a circuitmode having gain of 4/π(square wave)×½(time)=2/π.

With such circuit models, if a small-amplitude signal IN is inputted tothe non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier OPG andfrequency characteristics of gain and phase of an output signal OUT atthe inverting input terminal are found, the result as shown in FIG. 7 isobtained.

Originally, the node of the non-inverting input terminal of IN and thenode of the inverting input terminal of OUT are nodes in virtual groundstate due to negative feedback. Therefore, gain should be expected to be0 dB (gain=1).

However, since there is a zero point at a frequency FZ expressed by theequation shown in FIG. 7, the actual gain is not 0 dB. Therefore, thecontrol voltage DS outputted from the integrator 44, that is, a highpotential-side voltage VTC of the drive signal DQ changes slightly in anundulating manner at the frequency FZ.

Now, parasitic capacitances CP1, CP2 exist at the drive terminal of thedrive circuit 30 and the input terminal of the detection circuit 60, asshown in FIG. 8A, and because of these parasitic capacitances CP1, CP2,an unwanted signal due to so-called electrostatic leakage is generated.If the capacitance values of CP1, CP2 are the same, the unwanted signalresulting from CP1, CP2 can be eliminated by differential amplificationby the amplifier circuit 61 of FIG. 2. However, if the capacitancevalues of CP1, CP2 are different, the unwanted signal cannot beeliminated depending on the differential amplification by the amplifiercircuit 61, and therefore the detection performance of the detectiondevice falls. Also, as the high potential-side voltage VTC of the drivesignal DQ changes slightly at the low frequency FZ, as shown in FIGS. 8Band 8C, there is a risk that the detection current (electric charge)fluctuates, causing the detection sensitivity to fluctuate. For example,the slight fluctuation at the frequency FZ is frequency-converted withthe drive frequency FD of the oscillation loop and thus appears as noise(phase noise) at the frequency of FD±FZ.

In terms of this, according to the embodiment, the AGC loop is switchedoff and the oscillator 10 is driven by the drive signal DQ based on thesetting of the control voltage DS in the on-period. Therefore, thesituation where the control voltage DS fluctuates at the frequency FZcan be restrained and hence the occurrence of the above inconveniencedue to the slight fluctuation of the control voltage DS can berestrained. The detection performance of the detection device can thusbe improved.

5. Phenomenon of Missing Electric Charge

In the embodiment, the switch element SW is off in the off-period of theAGC loop. However, a phenomenon of missing electric charge may occur inthe switch element SW that is off.

For example, in the case where the switch element SW is made up of atransistor (MOS transistor), the phenomenon of missing electric chargeoccurs due to a leakage current from the transistor. Specifically, inFIG. 9, when the switch element SW is switched off, the phenomenon ofmissing electric charge, of accumulated charge in the capacitor CG,occurs due to a leakage current ILB to the bulk side of the transistorforming the switch element SW and a leakage current ILC to the channelside. As such a phenomenon of missing electric charge occurs, thecontrol voltage DS sampled and held by the integrator 44 changes,generating a problem that the drive current fluctuates. For example, inthe circuit configuration of FIG. 4, if the control voltage DS risesbecause of the phenomenon of missing electric charge, the amplitude ofthe drive signal DQ increases and the drive current increases with thelapse of time.

For example, FIG. 10 shows the fluctuation rate of the drive current inrelation to time, at each temperature. As shown in FIG. 10, the drivecurrent increases with the lapse of time. Also, since the leakagecurrent increases as temperature becomes higher, the fluctuation rate ofthe drive current increases as well.

Thus, in this embodiment, a mode in which the switching on/off of theAGC loop is repeated (hereinafter referred to as an on/off repetitionmode, as needed) as shown in FIG. 11A is prepared. According to theon/off repetition mode, even if the drive current fluctuates because ofthe phenomenon of missing electric charge as shown in FIG. 10 in anoff-period of the AGC loop, gain control by the AGC loop works in thenext on-period of the AGC loop. Thus, the drive current fluctuating(increasing) in the off-period of the AGC loop returns to a propercurrent value through the gain control by the AGC loop. Therefore, theinfluence of the fluctuation in the drive current due to the phenomenonof missing electric charge can be minimized.

For example, in an application such as inertial navigation, a desiredsignal (angular velocity) needs to be detected from detection signals ofthe oscillator 10 over a long period of time. Therefore, in such anapplication, it is desirable that the on/off repetition mode as shown inFIG. 11A is set. Since the fluctuation rate of the drive current withthe lapse of time is not very high as shown in FIG. 10, shortening theon/off repetition period of the AGC loop enables minimization of theadverse effect of the fluctuation in the drive current. Also, asdescribed with reference to FIG. 3, as the AGC loop is switched off, thenoise component is reduced and the detection performance of thedetection device can be improved.

Meanwhile, in an application of an electronic apparatus such as adigital camera, it is common for the user to turn on the power of thecamera, press the shutter button, and turn the power off without waitinglong. Therefore, in such an application, a mode in which the AGC loop isswitched on at the time of startup and in which the AGC loop is switchedoff after the startup is complete (hereinafter referred to as apost-startup completion off mode, as needed) as shown in FIG. 11B isemployed.

As the post-startup completion off mode is set, when the power of theelectronic apparatus is turned on, the AGC loop is switched on andoscillation startup of the oscillator 10 is started by the drive circuit30. Thus, AGC control to make the drive current constant is carried out.As the startup period proceeds, the drive current becomes constant, andthe timing when the startup of oscillation is determined as complete isreached, the AGC loop is then switched off. For example, in thisoff-period of the AGC loop, the detection circuit 60 detects a desiredsignal from a detection signal. Thus, it is possible to detect a desiredsignal with high detection performance. Then, since it is expected thatthe power of the electronic apparatus is turned off before longafterwards, the fluctuation in the drive current as shown in FIG. 10 isno longer a big problem.

FIGS. 12A to 12D show examples of register maps in the AGC loop on/offcontrol register.

FIG. 12A shows an example of the setting register for operation modes ofthe detection device. Setting a register value of AGMODE [1:0] enablessetting of a mode in which the AGC loop is constantly on, the on/offrepetition mode of FIG. 11A, a mode in which the AGC loop is constantlyoff, and the post-startup completion off mode of FIG. 11B. For example,by accessing this register via an external interface and setting aregister value, the user can set an optimum mode for the application asthe operation mode of the detection device.

FIG. 12B shows an example of the register for setting the length of theperiod for the AGC loop to be switched off from on, in the post-startupcompletion off mode (FIG. 11B). Setting a register value of AGSTART[1:0]enables setting of how much time it should take for the AGC loop to beswitched off from on after the drive current reaches a predeterminedcurrent (for example, 20 μApp). That is, setting this register valueenables setting of the length of the on-period of the AGC loop in thepost-startup completion off mode of FIG. 11B.

FIGS. 12C and 12D show examples of the register for setting the lengthof the off-period and on-period of the AGC loop in the on/off repetitionmode (FIG. 11A). Setting register values of AGOFTM[7:0] and AGONTM[7:0]enables setting of the off-time and on-time of the AGC loop in theon/off repetition mode.

Also, in this embodiment, the full-wave rectifier 42 is set to anoperation off state (or low power consumption state) in the off-periodof the AGC loop, as shown in FIG. 13. The setting of the operation offstate is carried out, for example, by the control unit 140.

That is, in the off-period of the AGC loop, since gain control by theAGC loop does not work, the operation of the full-wave rectifier 42 inthe off-period leads to unnecessary consumption of power.

In terms of this, according to the embodiment, since the full-waverectifier 42 is set to the operation off state (low power consumptionmode) in the off-period of the AGC loop, such unnecessary consumption ofpower can be restrained and power saving in the detection device can beachieved.

The setting of the operation off state of the full-wave rectifier 42 isrealized by switching off the operation of the operational amplifier OPFand the comparator CP3 of the full-wave rectifier 42. Specifically, thissetting is realized by switching off the bias current of the operationalamplifier OPF and the comparator CP3, or the like. As the operation ofthe operational amplifier OPF and the comparator CP3 is switched off,the impedance as viewed from the output side of the operationalamplifier OPF and the comparator CP3 reaches a high impedance state, asshown in FIG. 13. As such a high impedance state is set, the currentpath through which the leakage current ILC flows in the switch elementSW of FIG. 9 is limited and consequently the missing electric charge dueto the leakage current ILC is restrained. Therefore, the adverse effectof the missing electric charge is reduced and the fluctuation or thelike of the drive current in the off-period of the AGC loop can berestrained. Also, in the off-period of the AGC loop, the full-waverectifier 42 may be set to the low power consumption mode, instead ofthe complete operation off state. In the low power consumption mode,setting such as reducing the bias current or the like compared with thetime of normal operation is carried out.

Also, in the embodiment, the switch elements SF1, SF2 are off in theoff-period of the AGC loop, as shown in FIG. 13.

That is, in FIG. 13, the gain control circuit 40 has the switch elementsSF1, SF2 (in a broad sense, second switch elements) between the switchelement SW and the output node of the amplifier circuit 32. In thiscase, in the off-period of the AGC loop, in which the switch element SWis off, the switch elements SF1, SF2 (second switch elements) areswitched off, too. That is, in the off-period of the AGC loop, thecontrol unit 140 switches off not only the switch element SW but alsothe switch elements SF1, SF2 forming the full-wave rectifier 42 on thepreceding stage. In short, the switch elements SF1, SF2, which areexclusively switched on/off at the time of full-wave rectifyingoperation in the on-period of the AGC loop, are both switched off in theoff-period of the AGC loop.

As the switch elements SF1, SF2 on the stage preceding the switchelement SW are thus switched off, the current path of the leakagecurrent ILC from the switch element SW of FIG. 9 can be limited.Therefore, the missing electric charge due to the leakage current ILCcan be restrained. That is, the current path of the leakage current ILCflowing to the channel side in the switch element SW is limited(interrupted) as the switch elements SF1, SF2 are switched off. Thus,the adverse effect of the missing electric charge is reduced and thefluctuation or the like of the drive current in the off-period of theAGC loop can be restrained.

In FIG. 13, the switch elements SF1, SF2 of the full-wave rectifier 42are effectively utilized to limit the current path of the leakagecurrent ILC from the switch element SW. However, a switch element thatis different from the switch elements SF1, SF2 may be separatelyprovided to limit the current path of the leakage current ILC.

In the embodiment, a resistance element with variable resistance is usedas the resistance element RG of the integrator 44, as shown in FIGS. 14Aand 14B. In the on-period of the AGC loop, the resistance element RG isset to low resistance (first resistance value), as shown in FIG. 14A.That is, the resistance of the resistance element RG is set to be lowunder the control of the control unit 140. Meanwhile, in the off-periodof the AGC loop, the resistance element RG is set to high resistance(second resistance value that is higher than the first resistancevalue). That is, the resistance of the resistance element RG is set tobe high under the control of the control unit 140.

For example, in the on-period of the AGC loop, since the resistanceelement RG is set to low resistance, responsiveness of the integrationprocessing by the integrator 44 can be enhanced. Meanwhile, in theoff-period of the AGC loop, since the resistance element RG is set tohigh resistance, the current path of the leakage current ILC from theswitch element SW can be limited further, compared with the case wherethe resistance element RG has low resistance. Therefore, the missingelectric charge due to the leakage current ILC can be restrained.

FIGS. 15A to 15C are explanatory views showing detailed examples of theresistance control technique in this embodiment. FIG. 15A shows anexample of the case where the mode in which the AGC loop is constantlyon is set in the register map of FIG. 12A. In this case, in theoscillation startup period, the switch element SW is on and thereforethe AGC loop is on, and the resistance element RG is set to lowresistance. Even after the oscillation startup period is complete, thestate where the AGC loop is on and where the resistance element RG haslow resistance continues.

FIG. 15B shows an example of the case where the post-startup completionoff mode is set in the register map of FIG. 12A. First, in theoscillation startup period from the timing t1 to the timing t2, theswitch element SW is on and therefore the AGC loop is on, and theresistance element RG is set to low resistance. At the timing t2, theresistance element RG is switched from low resistance to highresistance. At the subsequent timing t3, the switch element SW isswitched off from on and therefore the AGC loop is switched off from on.That is, the resistance element RG is switched from low resistance tohigh resistance at the timing t2, which precedes the timing t3 when theAGC loop is switched off from on.

FIG. 15C shows an example of the case where the on/off repetition modeis set in the register map of FIG. 12A. First, in the oscillationstartup period from the timing t1 to the timing t2, the switch elementSW is on and therefore the AGC loop is on, and the resistance element RGis set to low resistance. At the timing t2, the resistance element RG isswitched from low resistance to high resistance. At the subsequenttiming t3, the switch element SW is switched off from on and thereforethe AGC loop is switched off from on. Next, at the timing t4, theresistance element RG is switched from high resistance to lowresistance. At the subsequent timing t5, the switch element SW isswitched on from off and therefore the AGC loop is switched on from off.That is, the resistance element RG is switched from high resistance tolow resistance at the timing t4, which precedes the timing t5 when theAGC loop is switched on from off.

As described above, the on/off control of the switch element SW iscarried out by the control unit 140. However, the timing of the on/offcontrol varies. For example, though the control unit 140 controls theon/off state of the switch element SW, using a clock signal(synchronizing signal SYC) or the like based on the oscillation of theoscillator 10 (quartz crystal oscillation), the amount of delay ofcircuit elements varies depending on temperature or the like andtherefore the timing of the on/off control of the switch element SWfluctuates as well.

At the timing t3 when the switch element SW is switched off from on inFIGS. 15B and 15C, the control voltage DS used in the off-period of theAGC loop is sampled and held by the integrator 44. Therefore, if thetiming t3 fluctuates in terms of time, the electric potential of thecontrol voltage DS that is sampled and held fluctuates as well. As theelectric potential of the control voltage DS fluctuates, the drivecurrent in the off-period of the AGC loop fluctuates as well.

Here, in the integrator 44 of FIGS. 14A and 14B, if the capacitor CG hasa constant capacitance value, the fluctuation in the electric potentialat the charge accumulation node NG3 becomes smaller as the resistance ofthe resistance element RG becomes higher. Therefore, in FIGS. 15B and15C, if the resistance element RG is switched from low resistance tohigh resistance at the timing t2, the fluctuation in the electricpotential at the charge accumulation node NG3 can be minimized at thesubsequent timing t3 when the switch element SW is switched off from on.As the fluctuation in the electric potential at the charge accumulationnode NG3 can be minimized in this way, the fluctuation in the electricpotential of the control voltage DS that is sampled and held can berestrained and the fluctuation (amount of error) in the drive current inthe off-period of the AGC loop can be restrained as well. That is, thefluctuation in the drive current due to the shift of the timing t3 whenthe switch element SW is switched off from on, can be minimized.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show the relation between the magnitude of theresistance of the resistance element RG in the integrator 44 and theconvergence time of AGC. FIG. 16A shows the case where the resistanceelement RG has low resistance. FIG. 16B shows the case where theresistance element RG has high resistance. As shown in FIGS. 16A and16B, the response speed of AGC becomes slower and the convergence timeof AGC becomes longer as the resistance of the resistance element RG inthe integrator 44 becomes higher.

Thus, in FIGS. 15B and 15C, the resistance element RG is switched fromhigh resistance to low resistance at the timing t4, which precedes thetiming t5 when the switch element SW is switched on from off. Thus, whenthe AGC loop is switched on from off at the timing t5 and the gaincontrol by the AGC loop to make the drive current constant is started,the convergence time of AGC can be reduced as shown in FIG. 16A becausethe resistance element RG is set to low resistance. That is, the timefor the drive current to become constant can be shortened and theconvergence operation of AGC can be speeded up.

6. Detection Circuit

FIG. 17 shows example of the detailed configuration of the detectioncircuit 60. FIG. 17 shows an example of the detection circuit 60 of afully differential switching mixer system.

As shown in FIG. 17, the detection circuit 60 of a fully differentialswitching mixer system includes first and second Q/V converter circuits62, 64, first and second gain adjusting amplifiers 72, 74, a switchingmixer 80, first and second filters 92, 94, an A/D converter circuit 100,and a DSP unit 110 (digital signal processing unit).

Differential first and second detection signals IQ1, IQ2 from theoscillator 10 are inputted to the Q/V converter circuits 62, 64(charge-voltage converter circuit). The Q/V converter circuits 62, 64convert the electric charge (current) generated by the oscillator 10 tovoltage.

The gain adjusting amplifiers 72, 74 adjust the gain of output signalsQA1, QA2 from the Q/V converter circuits 62, 64 and amplify the signalsQA1, QA2. The gain adjusting amplifiers 72, 74 are so-calledprogrammable gain amplifiers and amplify the signals QA1, QA2 with thegain that is set by the control unit 140. For example, the gainadjusting amplifiers 72, 74 amplify the signals to signals having anamplitude that matches the voltage conversion range of the A/D convertercircuit 100.

The switching mixer 80 is a mixer which carries out synchronousdetection of the differential on the basis of the synchronizing signalSYC from the drive circuit 30. Specifically, in the switching mixer 80,the output signal QB1 from the gain adjusting amplifier 72 is inputtedto a first input node NI1, and the output signal QB2 from the gainadjusting amplifier 74 is inputted to a second input node NI2. Then,synchronous detection of the differential is carried out on the basis ofthe synchronizing signal SYC from the drive circuit 30, and differentialfirst and second output signals QC1, QC2 are outputted to first andsecond output nodes NQ1, NQ2. By the switching mixer 80, an unwantedsignal such as noise (1/f noise) generated in the preceding circuits(Q/V converter circuits, gain adjusting amplifiers) isfrequency-converted to a high frequency band. Also, a desired signalthat is a signal corresponding to a Coriolis force is inserted in the DCsignal.

The first output signal QC1 from the first output node NQ1 of theswitching mixer 80 is inputted to the filter 92. The second outputsignal QC2 from the second output node NQ2 of the switching mixer 80 isinputted to the filter 94. These filters 92, 94 are, for example,low-pass filters having such a frequency characteristic as to eliminate(attenuate) an unwanted signal and transmit a desired signal. Forexample, the unwanted signal such as 1/f noise that isfrequency-converted to a high frequency band by the switching mixer 80is eliminated by the filters 92, 94. Also, the filters 92, 94 arepassive filters made up of passive elements such as a resistance elementand a capacitor, without using an operational amplifier.

The A/D converter circuit 100 receives an output signal QD1 from thefilter 92 and an output signal QD2 from the filter 94 and carries outdifferential A/D conversion. Specifically, the A/D converter circuit 100samples the output signals QD1, QD2 and carries out A/D conversion,using the filters 92, 94 as anti-aliasing filters (pre-filters). In thisembodiment, the output signal QD1 from the filter 92 and the outputsignal QD2 from the filter 94 are inputted to the A/D converter circuit100 without passing through any active element. As the A/D convertercircuit 100, A/D converter circuits of various types, for example,delta-sigma type or sequential comparison type, can be employed. If adelta-sigma type is employed, an A/D converter circuit which has, forexample, the functions of CDS (correlated double sampling) and chopperin order to reduce 1/f noise, and which is made up of a quadraticdelta-signal modulator, for example, can be used.

The DSP (digital signal processing) unit 110 carries out various kindsof digital signal processing. For example, the DSP unit 110 carries outdigital filter processing for band limitation corresponding to theapplication of a desired signal, and digital filter processing toeliminate noise generated by the A/D converter circuit 100 or the like.The DSP unit 110 also carries out digital correction processing such asgain correction (sensitivity adjustment) and offset correction.

The detection circuit 60 of FIG. 17 employs a fully differentialswitching mixer system. That is, the differential detection signals IQ1,IQ2 from the oscillator 10 are subjected to signal amplification andgain adjustment by the Q/V converter circuits 62, 64 and the gainadjusting amplifiers 72, 74, and inputted to the switching mixer 80 asthe differential signals QB1, QB2. These differential signals QB1, QB2are subjected to synchronous detection processing by the switching mixer80 in which the unwanted signal is frequency-converted to a highfrequency band. Then, the unwanted signal that is frequency-converted tothe high frequency band is eliminated by the filters 92, 94 and theresulting differential signals QD1, QD2 are inputted to the A/Dconverter circuit 100, where differential A/D conversion is carried out.

According to the detection circuit 60 of such a fully differentialswitching mixer system, the 1/f noise or the like generated in the Q/Vconverter circuits 62, 64 and the gain adjusting amplifiers 72, 74 iseliminated through the frequency conversion by the switching mixer 80and by the low-pass filter characteristic of the filters 92, 94. Theswitching mixer 80, which does not generate gain but generates lessnoise (generates no 1/f noise), and the filters 92, 94 made up oflow-noise passive elements are provided between the gain adjustingamplifiers 72, 74 and the A/D converter circuit 100. Thus, since thenoise generated in the Q/V converter circuits 62, 64 and the gainadjusting amplifiers 72, 74 is eliminated and the noise generated in theswitching mixer 80 and the filters 92, 94 is minimized, the signals QD1,QD2 in the low-noise state can be inputted to the A/D converter circuit100 and thus A/D-converted. Moreover, since the signals QD1, QD2 can beA/D-converted as differential signals, the S/N ratio can be improvedfurther, compared with the case where single-ended signals areA/D-converted.

It should be noted that the detection circuit 60 in this embodiment isnot limited to the fully differential switching mixer system shown inFIG. 17. For example, detection circuits 60 of various systems such as adirect sampling system shown in FIG. 18A and an analog synchronousdetection system shown in FIG. 18B can be employed.

The detection circuit 60 of the direct sampling system of FIG. 18A has adiscrete Q/V converter circuit 260, an A/D converter circuit 270, and aDSP unit 280. The direct sampling system is an advantageousconfiguration in terms of smaller circuit scale. However, since noanti-aliasing filter is provided on the stage preceding the A/Dconverter circuit 270, there is a problem that deterioration inperformance due to folding noise is unavoidable. Meanwhile, in the fullydifferential switching mixer system of FIG. 17, since the Q/V convertercircuits 62, 64 are continuous charge-voltage converter circuits havingfeedback resistance elements, the problem of deterioration inperformance due to folding noise generated in the direct sampling systemcan be prevented and there is an advantage in that detection processingwith low noise can be realized with a small-scale circuit configuration.

The detection circuit 60 of the analog synchronous detection system ofFIG. 18B has Q/V converter circuits 362, 364, a differential amplifiercircuit 366, a high-pass filter 367, an AC amplifier 368, an offsetadjusting circuit 370, a synchronous detection circuit 380, a low-passfilter 382, a gain adjusting amplifier 384, a DC amplifier 386, and anSCF 388 (switched capacitor filter). Also, for example, externalcircuits of the detection device, an A/D converter circuit 390 and a DSPunit 392 (digital filter) are provided.

This analog synchronous detection system is advantageous in that, forexample, the noise characteristic can be improved by having large gainof the signal in the detection circuit 60. However, this system has aproblem that the use of a large number of circuit blocks increases thecircuit scale and that power consumption becomes excessive because ofthe large number of analog circuit blocks, which consume a large amountof current. Meanwhile, the fully differential switching mixer system ofFIG. 17 is advantageous in that this system uses a smaller number ofcircuit blocks than the analog synchronous detection system andtherefore can easily realize reduction in circuit scale and reduction inpower consumption. Also, in the fully differential switching mixersystem, the differential signals IQ1, IQ2 from the oscillator 10 aresubjected to gain adjustment, synchronous detection processing andfilter processing and are inputted to the A/D converter circuit 100 andthus A/D-converted, while these signals remain differential signals.Therefore, this configuration is advantageous in terms of noisereduction, compared with the analog synchronous detection system, inwhich filter processing, synchronous detection processing, gainadjustment processing and the like are carried out on single-endedsignals.

The gyro sensor 510 (sensor) in this embodiment can be incorporated invarious moving objects, for example, an automobile, aircraft,motorcycle, bicycle, ship or the like. A moving object is a device orapparatus which has, for example, a drive mechanism such as an engine ormotor, a steering mechanism such as a steering wheel or steering gear,and various electronic devices, and which moves on the ground, in theair, or at sea.

FIG. 19 schematically shows an automobile 206 as a specific example ofthe moving object. The gyro sensor 510 having the oscillator 10 and thedetection device 20 is incorporated in the automobile 206. The gyrosensor 510 can detect the posture of a car body 207. A detection signalfrom the gyro sensor 510 can be supplied to a car body posture controldevice 208. The car body posture control device 208 can control thehardness/softness of the suspension and the braking on individual wheels209, for example, according to the posture of the car body 207. Also,such posture control can be utilized in various moving objects such as atwo-legged walking robot, aircraft, or helicopter. To realize theposture control, the gyro sensor 510 can be incorporated therein.

The embodiment is described above in detail. However, a person skilledin the art will readily understand that a number of modifications can bemade without substantially departing from the new matters and effects ofthe invention. Therefore, all such modifications are considered asincluded in the scope of the invention. For example, a term (gyrosensor, oscillator, angular velocity information or the like) that isdescribed along with a different term with a broader meaning or the samemeaning (sensor, physical quantity transducer, physical quantity or thelike) at least once in the specification or drawings can be replacedwith the different term at any part of the specification or drawings.Also, the configurations of the detection device, the sensor, theelectronic apparatus and the moving object, and the structure or thelike of the oscillator are not limited to those described in theembodiment and various modifications can be made thereto.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-231341,filed Nov. 7, 2013 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A detection device comprising: a drive circuitwhich receives a feedback signal from a physical quantity transducer anddrives the physical quantity transducer; a detection circuit whichreceives a detection signal from the physical quantity transducer anddetects a desired signal; and a control unit which controls switchingon/off of an AGC (automatic gain control) loop in the drive circuit;wherein the drive circuit outputs a drive signal to the physicalquantity transducer during an off-period of the AGC loop, wherein thedrive signal is based on a control voltage that is set by the AGC loopduring an on-period of the AGC loop, wherein the drive circuit includes:an amplifier circuit which amplifies the feedback signal; a drive signaloutput circuit which outputs the drive signal on the basis of the signalamplified by the amplifier circuit; and a gain control circuit includingan integrator which outputs the control voltage to control the amplitudeof the drive signal, to the drive signal output circuit, wherein theintegrator includes: an operational amplifier; a capacitor providedbetween an output node of the operational amplifier and a node of aninverting input terminal of the operational amplifier; and a resistanceelement having one end electrically connected to an input node of theintegrator, a switch element provided between the other end of theresistance element and the inverting input terminal of the operationalamplifier, the control unit controls switching on/off of the switchelement and thereby controls the switching on/off of the AGC loop, thegain control circuit outputs the control voltage that is sampled andheld in the integrator as the switch element is switched off, to thedrive signal output circuit during the off-period of the AGC loop, andthe drive signal output circuit outputs the drive signal based on thecontrol voltage that is sampled and held, to the physical quantitytransducer and thus drives the physical quantity transducer during theoff-period of the AGC loop, wherein the resistance element is aresistance element with variable resistance, and during the on-period ofthe AGC loop, the resistance element is set to a first resistance value,and during the off-period of the AGC loop, the resistance element is setto a second resistance value that is higher than the first resistancevalue.
 2. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein theresistance element is switched from the first resistance value to thesecond resistance value at a timing before a timing when AGC loop isswitched off from on.
 3. The detection device according to claim 2,wherein the resistance element is switched from the second resistancevalue to the first resistance value at a timing before a timing when AGCloop is switched on from off.
 4. The detection device according to claim1, wherein the gain control circuit includes a full-wave rectifier whichperforms full-wave rectification of an output signal from the amplifiercircuit and outputs the full-wave-rectified signal to the integrator,and during the off-period of the AGC loop, the full-wave rectifier isset to an operation off state or low power consumption mode.
 5. Thedetection device according to claim 1, wherein the drive circuitincludes: an amplifier circuit which amplifies the feedback signal; adrive signal output circuit which outputs the drive signal on the basisof the signal amplified by the amplifier circuit; and a gain controlcircuit which outputs the control voltage to the drive signal outputcircuit and controls an amplitude of the drive signal, the gain controlcircuit samples and holds the control voltage that is set in theon-period of the AGC loop, and outputs the control voltage that issampled and held to the drive signal output circuit in the off-period ofthe AGC loop, and the drive signal output circuit outputs the drivesignal based on the control voltage that is sampled and held, to thephysical quantity transducer and thus drives the physical quantitytransducer in the off-period of the AGC loop.
 6. The detection deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a register unit including acontrol register for on/off control of the AGC loop, wherein the controlunit performs on/off control of the AGC loop on the basis of a settingof the control register.
 7. The detection device according to claim 6,wherein the register unit includes a setting register for a mode inwhich switching on/off of the AGC loop is repeated, as the controlregister.
 8. The detection device according to claim 6, wherein theregister unit includes a setting register for a mode in which the AGCloop is switched on at the time of startup and is switched off after thestartup is complete, as the control register.
 9. The detection deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the register unit includes a registerwhich sets at least one of length information of the on-period of theAGC loop and length information of the off-period of the AGC loop, asthe control register.
 10. A sensor comprising: the detection deviceaccording to claim 1; and the physical quantity transducer.
 11. Anelectronic apparatus comprising the detection device according toclaim
 1. 12. A moving object comprising the detection device accordingto claim
 1. 13. A detection device comprising: a drive circuit whichreceives a feedback signal from a physical quantity transducer anddrives the physical quantity transducer; a detection circuit whichreceives a detection signal from the physical quantity transducer anddetects a desired signal; and a control unit which controls switchingon/off of an AGC (automatic gain control) loop in the drive circuit;wherein the drive circuit outputs a drive signal to the physicalquantity transducer during an off-period of the AGC loop, wherein thedrive signal is based on a control voltage that is set by the AGC loopduring an on-period of the AGC loop, wherein the drive circuit includes:an amplifier circuit which amplifies the feedback signal; a drive signaloutput circuit which outputs the drive signal on the basis of the signalamplified by the amplifier circuit; and a gain control circuit whichoutputs the control voltage to the drive signal output cicuit andcontrols an amplitude of the drive signal, and the control unit controlsswitching on/off of a switch element provided in a path of the AGC loopin the gain control circuit and thereby controls the switching on/off ofthe AGC loop, wherein the gain control circuit includes a second switchelement provided between the switch element and an output node of theamplifier circuit, and during the off-period of the AGC loop, the secondswitch element is off.